By james art 
By Laura Hyde |
American Cruise Lines has ordered four new ships from Chesapeake Shipbuilding, bringing the operator’s total order book with the Maryland-based shipbuilder to 10 ships. All of them will join the fleet in the next three years.
The 10 new builds, which include three riverboats and six coastal vessels, will follow the delivery of American Legend, which completed sea trials in late October 2024. The newest Coastal Cat will officially join American Cruise Lines’ fleet on November 25, when the first passenger cruise set sail.
The newbuilds, each built exclusively for the American cruise market, will be launched every few months, with American Patriot and American Pioneer expected in 2025, and American Maverick and American Ranger, as well as the riverboat American Encore, in 2026. The remaining four new buildings are expected in 2027.